The Sandwich Guy

We were invited by some friends today to take part in the making of a commercial for this awesome grill...


They took a bunch of still shots of all four of us, but Jack was immediately picked out by the crew as "The Sandwich Guy" and the camera was focused on him quite a bit. Hopefully, I can report that his "big mouth" (as Kinsey so lovingly described) will be famous in a few weeks!

Tubin' the Hooch

Friday night while Kinsey and I were at this birthday party (a pool party that unfortunately was during a huge hail and lightning storm...)


...we made plans to go up to Helen the next day with our good friends and neighbors, the Lills. So the next day, we packed a picnic lunch and headed up to the mountains. Now, as a Carolina Girl, I spent many summers white water rafting, but these Georgia folks always talk about going TUBING. Knee-deep, slower moving water, just relaxing and trying to keep from getting stuck on the rocks. We decided to try out this place,


which had a huge water park that you could play after you finish your tubing trip. The 2 hour float down the river was wonderfully fun-filled (not so much relaxing, as we were constantly chasing K and M and their runaway tubes) and then we closed down the water park sliding and swimming until dark. After the sun went down, we found a cool little tavern with a patio and enjoyed burgers, drinks and music until the kids all passed out and we drove back home. Fun little day trip!

Keowee Kwikee

The kids and I headed to Lake Keowee for a little overnight visit with Nanny and Papadad yesterday. Who knew we could have so much fun?!?

Max's first jump of the dock, Kinsey's first skiing, tubing, burgers, popsicles, Wii, croquet, sunset cruise, Max's first skiing, hot dogs and more popsicles, Kinsey's first dive off the dock, movie, seafood buffet and ice cream sundaes...Whew! Thanks for a "SUPER-FUN" time!

Father's Day

What a busy weekend, but it seems to be a tradition with Kinsey's birthday and Father's Day so close together. Sunday was a wonderful day, beginning with another yummy brunch at Georgia Club, followed by the best nap ever with all four of us piled in the bed together. After naps, we went to see Toy Story 3 (so precious packed with great life lessons) and a twilight swim and dessert party with the Griners. Can't beat it!

Happy Father's Day to my hubby, my daddy and my second father and all the other amazing dads out there. You are an inspiration for your children!

Giddy Up!

Saturday morning was Kinsey's sixth birthday party. We invited some of her friends to join her for a morning of horseback riding fun. Although the heat was pretty intense, it certainly didn't slow the kiddos down a bit. They started with a little lesson on safety and grooming then they mounted their steeds and headed into the ring. Miss Emily, who lead the party, let the kids lead each other around which was cute, but she let the birthday girl ride her horse, Joe, solo which, of course, tickled Kinsey to death. We were so happy to have all of her friends and family there and you could tell that this little cowgirl certainly enjoyed her day!

Photo collage made with Smilebox

And don't forget the cake--another MASTERPIECE!

Saddle Ridge Ranch

We wrapped out our week of VBS and it was a fun, wild ride. Here are a couple of shots from the last night.

Three Good Things

1. Kinsey's birthday present, a Vivitar camera (from this week's Big Lots flyer--a GREAT DEAL)seems to take great pictures and video and Kinsey seems to be getting the hang of it.

2. Max is getting the hang of and enjoying the pool. Today I got him to jump in and swim on his own.

3. I figured out how to upload and edit video as this was originally several minutes long! :)

Who needs IHOP?

The birthday girl with her gifts and her yummy breakfast from her Daddy. This beats Funny Face pancakes ANY day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR SWEET SIX-YEAR-OLD ANGEL! WE LOVE YOU!

110

That is how hot it feels outside right now. Seriously. There is not a whole lot you can do in this weather but lock yourself up inside the comforts of air conditioning, but this morning the Fabulous Four and I braved the heat for a bit of blueberry picking on opening day and a LOT of pool swimming afterwards. These guys are just precious!

Y-E-S to VBS

And the catchy little songs have begun. Today marked the first day of Vacation Bible School for us this summer. All four Patricks are involved this year for the first time and it is going to be a great (and exhausting) week. I am the lead teacher for kindergartners, Jack is a assistant teacher for 6th graders and of course the kids are students. The theme for VBS this year is Saddle Ridge Ranch which is super fun and easy for us since we have tons of horse and camping stuff lying around as well as a pretty good stash of western gear from our dude ranch excursions. Here are a couple of shots of our little cowpokes. More to come, I promise!

Puppets and Pool

What another fun summer day. I took the "gang" to the library for a cute puppet show followed by an afternoon of fun at the boys' pool. A big thanks to Mary for loaning us her two sweet playmates!

Happy Hollow

A couple of mobile pics from our outing to the Bear Hollow Zoo, the playground, lunch and ice cream with our fevorite buds.

And the rest of the pictures...

I had the hardest time choosing pictures for my previous posts, so here are the rest if ny favorites. Get comfortable, there are a BUNCH!

This free photo slideshow personalized with Smilebox

Myrtle Beach: Episode 4--The End

After most cousins and kids left, we had a couple of quiter night left to enjoy. The last night with Nanny and Papadad there, we all went out for a yummy dinner at a local oyster bar and then went to play some pirate putt-putt.

The last day, we simply relaxed on the beach and took long naps in the afternoon. We had a fried chicken picnic with my aunts and uncles. I'd promised the kids an evening at the seaside fair and the three of us made some great memories riding the rides and playing games.

Bumper Car Rides

The Tilt-a-Hurl

On the giant Ferris Wheel

On the boardwalk

Riding the Speedy Gonzales Roller Coaster



I love and treasure this little family tradition of ours. My Aunt Joie and Uncle Neal are so kind to open up there house to all the mayhem and madness of our family. It is wonderful to see my cousins who I grew up so close to and to get to know their adult families. Runs together on the beach, a night out every now and then, bike rides to the strip, etc.

Unfortunately, our family beach week also interferes with Jack's annual mountain family reunion. This year, he decided to go up and see his folks without us. We were all very excited to get back home and see each other and settle into our new, but short, summer schedule.